Chapter 2

Simon stood there, frozen. It felt like the blood in his body had stopped moving.

He stared at the old man, the weight of his presence almost suffocating, then turned to Kara. He just couldn't believe it. His mind went completely blank.

For three years, Kara had worked in the Payne family without a single complaint.

In his eyes, she had always been an orphan, someone with no one to rely on. And now, out of nowhere, she had a grandfather who looked like he owned the world.

The old man gave him a cold, quick glance, showing no emotion. But there was something in his eyes that felt heavy; it was as if he stood above everyone else.

Just one look made it hard for Simon to breathe. His legs went weak. They started to shake.

"Get lost." The old man's voice was low and calm, almost soft. But it carried a weight that couldn't be ignored.

Simon opened his mouth, wanting to defend himself, to challenge the old man, but under that icy stare, every word died in his throat. He couldn't say a thing.

Shana sat in the car, her face pale with fear. She clutched the seat, barely daring to breathe.

At first, she had planned to get out, put on a sweet face, and play nice. But the moment she saw the endless line of Rolls-Royces and the tall bodyguards standing around the old man with sharp, watchful eyes, she dropped that idea immediately.

People like this were far beyond them. They couldn't afford to offend someone like that.

In the end, Simon could only rush back into his car, burning with shame. He rolled up the window, and the car sped away from the neighborhood entrance as if running for its life.

He didn't stop until they were far, far away. Then suddenly, he slammed his hand against the steering wheel. His face twisted with anger. "What the hell is going on? How does Kara have a family like that?"

No one answered him.

Back at the entrance, Kara stared at the old man, his eyes rimmed red. All the pain and sadness she had buried over the past three years broke free at once.

Tears streamed down her face, scalding as they splashed onto the back of her hand.

All her life, she had believed she was an orphan. She had grown up in an orphanage, with no parents, no one to lean on. She couldn't understand how she suddenly had a grandfather.

When the old man saw Kara's tears, his heart tightened as if an invisible hand was squeezing it.

He reached out with his rough but warm hand, carefully wiping away her tears, as if she were something fragile and priceless.

"Don't cry, sweetheart. I came too late. You've suffered so much. It's all my fault." His voice trembled. His wrinkled eyes grew wet.

His name was Webster Green, the current head of the legendary, hidden Green family. He controlled over a hundred billion dollars, with influence that stretched across the world.

More than twenty years ago, the Green family had been betrayed from within. His son and daughter-in-law died in what was called an accident, and his infant granddaughter vanished without a trace.

For over two decades, Webster never stopped searching. He pulled every string and searched every corner of the country, and today, he had finally found his only granddaughter.

"Kara, will you come home with me?" Webster held her hand tightly, afraid she might slip away again. "The Green family estate is huge. There are gardens, a pool, and everything you could ever want.

"From now on, no one will bully you. No one will make you kneel. No one will order you around. I'll give you the best of everything."

Kara sniffled, her eyes blurred with tears as she gazed at the old man.

His face was unfamiliar. But somehow, he made her feel safe and warm, like she finally had somewhere to belong.

It was something deeper than words, a connection she could feel in her bones.

She nodded. "Yes," she said, her voice trembling but firm.

That single word lifted a weight Webster had carried for more than twenty years.

He threw his head back and laughed, his voice booming with the joy of getting back what he thought was gone forever.

"That's great!" He turned to the bodyguards behind him and said, "Open the doors. Prepare everything. We're taking her home."

"Yes, Mr. Green," they answered in unison, their voices clear in the night.

One bodyguard stepped forward and carefully took the small suitcase from Kara's hand, moving with quiet respect.

Another opened the door of a customized Rolls-Royce.

Inside, the floor was covered with soft white wool carpet. The seats were made from the finest leather. Fresh flowers sat neatly in one corner. The temperature was just right. It felt less like a car and more like a moving palace.

Webster personally helped Kara inside, careful and attentive. "Kara, slow down. Watch your head."

Once Kara was settled, Webster took his seat beside her with care, the stern look on his face fading completely. Now, his eyes showed only warmth and love.

The line of cars began to move. The ride was so smooth that she could barely feel it.

Sitting in the spacious, comfortable car, Kara watched the night scenery streaming past outside the window. It all felt unreal.

For three years, she'd lived like a maid in her marriage, always looked down on and treated unfairly.

But barely ten minutes after the divorce, she went from rock bottom straight to the top. The most powerful family in the world now held her like something precious.

The change was so sudden that she didn't even know how to react.

Webster looked at her pale but beautiful face, and his heart ached. "Kara, did they treat you badly all these years?"

Kara lowered her gaze and whispered, "It's all in the past."

"Even if it's in the past, it still matters." Webster's expression turned cold. A sharp, dangerous aura rose from him. "They dared to bully my granddaughter. The Payne family will pay for this."

They had made his precious granddaughter kneel. They had treated her like a servant. That alone was enough. He would make sure the Payne family disappeared from this city completely.

Kara blinked, a little stunned.

She could tell he wasn't just speaking in anger. He meant every word. And he had the power to make it happen.

Kara said in a soft voice, "Grandpa, I want to handle it myself."

She didn't want to live under Webster's protection forever. She wanted to make the people who had hurt her pay with her own hands.

Webster paused for a moment, a little surprised. Then a look of approval showed in his eyes. This was exactly how a child of the Green family should be—proud, sharp, and unwilling to bow.

"Alright," he said easily. "I'll listen to you. Do whatever you want. I've got your back.

"Everything the Green family has, our connections, our money, our power, it's all yours to use.

"If you want the Payne Group to go bankrupt right now, I can make that happen in ten minutes."

Kara's heart skipped a beat.

Crushing a company like the Payne Group in ten minutes was terrifying.

The family she once thought was out of reach now looked small and fragile in front of Webster.

Webster grinned at Kara's shocked look, reached into his pocket, and handed her a bank card.

It was completely black, edged in gold. There was no bank logo on it, only a simple, elegant symbol of the Green family.

Webster said, "Kara, this is the Green family's unlimited card. There's no limit. Buy whatever you want. Don't worry about spending my money."

Then he placed a set of keys beside it. "This is for Cloudpeak Residence. The penthouse in the city center. It has the best view in the whole city and top-notch design. You can stay there for now. If you don't like it, I'll find you somewhere else."

"And this." Webster handed her a folder with gold stamping on the cover. The words "Property Gift Agreement" were printed clearly on it. "I've already transferred thirty percent of the shares from all Green family companies into your name.

"Starting today, you are the only heir to the Green family. Everything we own is all yours."

Kara held the card, the keys, and the document. Her fingers trembled slightly.

Everything had happened too fast. It didn't feel real.

Before, she would think for days before buying a dress that cost a hundred dollars. Now, she had more money than she could ever spend.

Before, the Payne family looked down on her because she had no one behind her. Now, she stood at the top, someone the whole world would look up to.

"Grandpa..." Kara's eyes grew misty again.

Webster quickly took her hand, his voice gentle and soothing. "Silly girl, you don't need to thank me. You deserve the very best this world has to offer."

The cars kept moving and finally drove into a massive estate.

The iron gates opened slowly. Inside, bright lights lit up everything. Trees, gardens, fountains, wide lawns, and elegant buildings stretched out in perfect order. It looked like a dream. It was like a private paradise.

This was the Green Mansion.

The car came to a stop in front of the main building. The butler and servants were already lined up at the entrance. As soon as the door opened, they all bowed together. "Welcome home, Ms. Green."

Their voices were perfectly in sync, respectful and steady.

Kara stepped out of the car. She looked at the grand house in front of her, then at her grandfather, who was watching her with nothing but love in his eyes.

For the first time, she truly believed it. She wasn't an orphan. She had a home.

Just then, Webster's phone rang.

He picked it up and listened for a moment. His expression slowly turned cold.

After hanging up, he turned to Kara, a hint of apology in his voice. "Kara, something urgent just came up. Let Eric show you around and help you settle in. Take it easy and get some rest."

"Oh, and one more thing," Webster said, as if just remembering. "You actually have three older brothers. As soon as they heard you were back, they dropped everything. They're on their way home now. They'll be here tomorrow."

Kara blinked, a little stunned. Not only did she have a grandfather, but she also had brothers.

Webster gently patted her head, smiling warmly. "They'll spoil you rotten. From now on, no one will ever bully you again."

With that, he hurried off, surrounded by his bodyguards.

Kara stood there, looking at the place that was now her home. So many emotions rushed through her at once.

At that moment, Eric stepped forward and said respectfully, "Ms. Green, your room is ready. Shall I show you up?"

Still feeling overwhelmed, Kara nodded.

She followed him to the second floor. When he opened the door to the master bedroom, she froze again.

The room was huge and filled with light. The style was elegant, but warm and comfortable. The walk-in closet was the size of a department store, packed with designer clothes, bags, and shoes from every major brand.

The bathroom was stocked with the world's most high-end skincare products, and the vanity glittered with sets of priceless jewelry.

All of this was stuff Kara had never dared to imagine in her wildest dreams.

After Eric left, Kara was alone in the room.

Kara walked to the window and looked out at the night view. Then she took out the old phone she had used for the past three years. The screen was cracked.

As soon as she turned it on, a flood of unread messages popped up.

The most annoying ones all came from Simon. [Kara, who was that old man earlier? Don't even think about lying to me, or you'll regret it.

[I'm telling you, even if you know someone important, don't think you can threaten the Payne family.

[You'd better come back and behave. If you do, maybe I won't make things difficult for you.]

As Kara read those arrogant, threatening messages, a cold smile slowly appeared on her lips.

'Simon, you still don't get it, do you?' she thought. 'The Payne family you thought was untouchable means nothing to me now.'

Without hesitation, she tapped the screen, blocked his number, and deleted it.

From this moment on, Simon was completely out of her world.

What she didn't know was that at the exact same moment she blocked Simon, three heirs from the world's top financial empires all received the same message. [Sister found. Return immediately.]

The three men dropped everything on the spot. They booked private jets and rushed back through the night.